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McCain Takes Slim Florida Lead

Governor's endorsement counts big with conservatives

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2008 7:13 AM CST
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(Newser) – Apparently, Florida Governor Charlie Crist has the golden touch. John McCain rose 3 points overnight in Florida after Crist endorsed him Saturday, pulling ahead of Mitt Romney in the latest Reuters/Zogby poll. Most significantly, McCain wiped out Romney’s 6-point edge amongst conservatives. “One day doesn’t make a trend, but to gain three points in a day could be significant,” said pollster John Zogby. "McCain went from losing big among conservatives to a tie."

The race looks like another two-way contest between McCain (33%) and Romney (30%). Rudy Giuliani, who bet heavily on winning here, polls at just 14%. Mike Huckabee fell three points overnight, to 11%. Romney has lately tried to attack McCain’s economic credentials, a potentially savvy move, since 40% of Floridians identified the economy as the top issue.

Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who endorsed McCain for president, speak to reporters during a campaign stop at the First Watch Cafe ahead of Florida's presidential primary election in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who endorsed McCain for president, speak to reporters during a campaign stop at the First Watch Cafe ahead...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a town hall style campaign event at the Fantasy of Flight museum in Polk City, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a town hall style campaign event at the Fantasy of Flight museum in Polk City, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., smiles as he is introduced at a town hall style campaign event at the Fantasy of Flight museum in Polk City, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. Over half of the states holding presidential contests on Super Tuesday next month will allow unaffiliated voters...
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., smiles as he is introduced at a town hall style campaign event at the Fantasy of Flight museum in Polk City, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. Over...   (Associated Press)
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Mitt Romney • John McCain • Rudy Giuliani • Mike Huckabee • poll • Charlie Crist • Florida primary

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